Hague must prioritise human rights | Kate Allen | Opinion | The Guardian Hague must prioritise human rights Kate Allen The new foreign secretary can make the UK into a force for good in the world – he should start by reading Amnesty's new report Foreign secretary William Hague has an opportunity to pursue an agenda of law, order and human rights at home and abroad. Photograph: Victor R Caivano/AP Tuesday 25 May 2010 13.00 EDT First published on Tuesday 25 May 2010 13.00 EDT Share on Messenger Close When the one-time foreign secretary Robin Cook became leader of the Commons in 2001 he famously "read himself into" his new role with a marathon 48-hour briefing session. As William Hague takes the measure of his new foreign secretary job, I urge him to steel himself for the challenges ahead with a little light reading: the new Amnesty International report 2010 (subtitled "The State of the World's Human Rights") published later this week.

Hague may not wish to devour our – often grim – 400-page opus in one weekend, but here are some reasons why he should place it on a handy bookshelf in his office. First, Hague will naturally be seeking to put numerous bilateral and multilateral relations on "reset". Starting with the United States, the UK is re-establishing where it stands on key issues, always, of course, assessed against the UK national interest. The tools for this reassessment are many and varied – economic and military data are key – but "softer" indices of judgement play a major role. This realm, broadly "political", must, I believe, include human rights if Britain is to make the right choices in the world. Take Afghanistan, Hague's avowed priority issue. Equipment for troops, dealing with the narcotics trade, assessing already complex relations with Pakistan and Iran, the US and Nato – each of these will play a part in policy formation. But what of human rights in Afghanistan? We've been told numerous times that UK forces are in Afghanistan to stop terrorists killing people on the streets of Britain. Yet politicians have readily cited human rights concerns – especially virulent anti-women policies from the Taliban – as further cause and justification.

As Afghanistan prepares for the " Peace Jirga " on 29 May, the question is increasingly: on what terms does the Afghan government of Hamid Karzai attempt a peace settlement with the "reconcilable" elements of the Taliban and other armed groups? The US and Nato view on this will be important, so the UK must consider this extremely carefully. Hague will read on page 55 of the Amnesty report that in 2009 the Taliban and other anti-government groups actually "stepped up attacks against civilians, including attacks on schools and health clinics, across the country". Worryingly enough, the report makes clear, Afghan women and girls were targeted for attack by the Taliban and were also the subject of widespread societal discrimination, forced marriage, domestic violence and other abuse. The danger now, then, is that a rush to stem Taliban violence through a "peace" deal will mean women's already fragile rights being traded away. The UK should have no part in this "trade-off". Other enormous challenges ahead require the same human rights input for any informed foreign policy thinking. Iran is far more than a "nuclear issue", as the huge election protest movement last year demonstrated.

If, for example, British personnel are again seized by the Iranian authorities, the Foreign Office needs to be thoroughly apprised of detention conditions, the risk of torture, the fairness of trials and a host of other human rights issues. Indeed the same applies to all countries: there is no clearer example of British interests intersecting with those of the citizens of other countries as when a British national is detained in a foreign jail next to political prisoners in, say, Burma, China or Saudi Arabia. Diplomacy is a two-way street. But no meeting with a foreign leader or their foreign affairs ministers should take place without the foreign secretary being less than fully aware of what occurs in the police stations of that country (in some instances in the basement cells of ministry buildings themselves). It's as well to know that the smiling prime minister's own brother is accused of torture if you're about to sign a multimillion-pound trade deal. Meanwhile foreign powers are adept at seeing the beam in our own eye if we broach their human rights failings. Getting our human rights house in order makes good sense internationally and domestically. The unpleasant fact is that the UK's involvement in "war on terror" secret detentions and torture left us exposed to justified criticism.

Hague's announcement last week that there would be an inquiry into this is overdue but extremely welcome. Certainly we can have no claim to the moral high ground unless our record is significantly better than it has been. The UK can be a force for good in the world in multiple ways – from firm support for the UN millennium development goals and an effective international criminal court, to continued championing of a global arms trade treaty and of lifesaving measures on maternal health and HIV/Aids treatments. In a speech to FCO staff on his first day in the job, Hague mentioned the importance of "international organisations", a promising enough sign that we'll be monitoring here in terms of support for human rights at the United Nations, the EU and elsewhere. Hague and his Conservative-Lib Dem coalition colleagues have an opportunity to pursue an agenda of law, order and human rights at home and abroad. A well-informed, human rights-aware Foreign Office is a boon to good government and much will rest on the decisions taken in the first years of the new foreign secretary's tenure. As well as absorbing his FCO briefs, William Hague should read our report in full. I've already mailed him a copy.

BBC News - Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Here is a guide to the cabinet following the reshuffle which began on 14 July, 2014: David Cameron Prime Minister Prime Minister David Cameron Conservative David Cameron was virtually unknown outside Westminster when he was elected Tory leader in December 2005 at the age of 39. The Old Etonian had dazzled that year's party conference with his youthful dynamism and charisma, reportedly telling journalists he was the "heir to Blair". He has sought to match the former PM by putting the Conservatives at the centre ground of British politics. After the 2010 election he led his party into coalition with the Lib Dems, making tackling the UK economy's deficit its priority. He has faced criticism from some on the right of the party but Mr Cameron has insisted the coalition will see through its full five-year term. Before becoming leader, he was the Conservatives' campaign co-ordinator at the 2005 general election and shadow education secretary. He was special adviser to Home Secretary Michael Howard and Chancellor Norman Lamont in the 1990s before spending seven years as a public relations executive with commercial broadcaster Carlton.

Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg In just five years, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, a contemporary of Mr Cameron, went from political obscurity to the absolute front line of British politics. After becoming MP for Sheffield Hallam at the 2005 election, he was promoted to Europe spokesman, before moving on to the home affairs role. When Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader in 2007, he entered the race to succeed him, in the end narrowly beating Chris Huhne. He really came to prominence during the televised debates ahead of the general election, being judged in polls to have been the big winner of the first one. However, this appeared to do little to help the Lib Dems when they actually lost seats on 6 May. The party, though, retained enough MPs to become the vital players in the hung parliament. After taking his party into coalition with the Conservatives - and U-turning on a previous pledge to reject university tuition fees - Mr Clegg saw his personal poll ratings slump, but he has pointed to areas where Lib Dem policies have come into force on taxation and consitutional issues.

Like David Cameron, he has insisted the coalition is working in the national interest and will continue for the full parliament. George Osborne Chancellor Chancellor George Osborne One of David Cameron's closest friends and Conservative allies, George Osborne rose rapidly after becoming MP for Tatton in 2001. Michael Howard promoted him from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury to shadow chancellor in May 2005, at the age of 34. Mr Osborne took a key role in the election campaign and even before Mr Cameron became leader the two were being likened to Labour's Blair/Brown duo. The two have emulated them by becoming prime minister and chancellor, but have avoided the spats. Some prominent Conservatives have urged Mr Osborne to do more to promote economic growth. Before entering Parliament, he was a special adviser in the agriculture department when the Tories were in government and later served as political secretary to William Hague. Home Secretary Theresa May Theresa May is the second woman to hold the post of Home Secretary. She was the first woman to become Conservative Party chairman, under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith. She then took up the culture and family portfolios before being made shadow Commons leader by David Cameron.

She has been a keen advocate of positive action to recruit more women Tories to winnable seats and was a key architect of the "A list" of preferred candidates. A passionate moderniser, she famously ruffled feathers when she told Tory activists they were seen as members of the "nasty party". In her role as home secretary, she has overseen widespread changes to the immigration system. Mrs May was the shadow work and pensions minister ahead of the election. Philip Hammond Foreign Secretary Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond Philip Hammond has built up a reputation as an articulate and effective Commons performer since being elected MP for Runnymede and Weybridge in 1997. A former director of companies supplying medical equipment, he was initially a member of the Conservative shadow health team before going on to serve as trade and industry spokesman. He also backed Michael Portillo's 2001 leadership bid. In summer 2002, he went to shadow the now defunct Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and local government department before being made shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, at the age of 51, in the July 2007 reshuffle.

He became Transport Secretary after David Cameron's coalition took power after the 2010 election, building on his reputation there as an effective performer before being shifted into the defence brief after the resignation of Liam Fox from the job in October 2011. He became Foreign Secretary in the July reshuffle, following the departure of William Hague. Vince Cable Business Secretary Business Secretary Vince Cable Vince Cable has had a long journey to reach the front rank of politics, having been a Labour and then an SDP supporter before its merger with the Liberals to become the Liberal Democrats. An economist by profession, he entered Parliament as MP for Twickenham in 1997 and has gradually built up his powerbase among the Lib Dems. As the party's deputy leader and Treasury spokesman he saw his stock rising during the credit crunch because of his earlier warnings. When he stood in as temporary leader after the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell, he memorably described Gordon Brown as going from "Stalin to Mr Bean". Has had a colourful time in government, notably when he was recorded by under cover reporters saying he was at war with Rupert Murdoch's News International. He has been mentioned as a possible future leader of his party.

Eric Pickles Communities Secretary Communities Secretary Eric Pickles Eric Pickles was first elected to the Commons in 1992, representing an Essex seat far from his Yorkshire roots. He has extensive local government experience, having led Bradford District Council for three years up to 1991. He has also served in a variety of shadow ministerial roles, including transport, local government and social security spokesman, earning a reputation for loyalty and good humour. He boosted his reputation and profile in the party by masterminding its landmark victory over Labour in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election and was appointed party chairman in 2009. And he became a regular and confident media performer in the months leading up to the 2010 general election. Sajid Javid Culture Secretary Culture Secretary Sajid Javid A self-made millionaire and devotee of Margaret Thatcher, Sajid Javid is the first Asian male Conservative cabinet minister. He became an MP in 2010 and is regarded as one of the Conservatives' fastest-rising stars. He was a City banker and became a Treasury minister in 2013.

Michael Fallon Defence Secretary Defence Secretary Michael Fallon He has served as MP for Sevenoaks in Kent since 1997. He had previously served as MP for Darlington from 1983-92. He was educated at Epsom College and the University of St Andrews. While he was out of politics, he served as director of several companies including Quality Care Homes. A resolute Thatcherite, he served as a minister under her and John Major. He held a number of posts including parliamentary private secretary to the secretary of state for energy, government whip and schools minister. From 2010-12 he served as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, where he developed a reputation as a firefighter. In 2013 he was made minister of state for energy. He was promoted to defence secretary in the July reshuffle. He is married with two children. Nicky Morgan Education Secretary Education Secretary Nicky Morgan After studying law at Oxford University, she worked as a solicitor specialising in corporate law and advising a range of private and public companies from 1994, until her election as MP for the marginal seat of Loughborough in 2010.

In April 2014 she was appointed financial secretary to the Treasury and minister for women and was promoted to education secretary in the July reshuffle. She will also continue as minister for women and equalities. As a committed Christian, Morgan voted against same-sex marriage, although she supports gay civil partnerships. She is married with a son. Ed Davey Energy and Climate Secretary Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Davey Liberal Democrat Ed Davey was appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary on 3 February 2012 following the resignation of Chris Huhne. Mr Davey was elected MP for the newly created seat of Kingston in 1997 and has held a series of frontbench roles. Popular within the party, he was seen as an outside contender to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell when he stood down in 2007. After serving as the Liberal Democrat spokesman for foreign affairs prior to the 2010 election, he was appointed business minister responsible for the Post Office, Royal Mail and employment relations in the coalition government. Liz Truss Environment Secretary Environment Secretary Liz Truss A qualified management accountant, she became MP for South West Norfolk in 2010 and was appointed education minister in 2012.

She was brought up in Yorkshire and attended Roundhay, a comprehensive school in Leeds, and went on to read philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College Oxford. Socially liberal, she was a founder member of the free enterprise group of Conservative MPs arguing for more deregulation of the economy. She was promoted to the cabinet as secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs. She is married with two daughters. Jeremy Hunt Health Secretary Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt was moved to the health brief after the overseeing the smooth running of the 2012 London Olympics. The MP for South West Surrey since 2005, he became the Conservatives' culture spokesman in 2007. He was previously the party's spokesman on disabilities and welfare reform. Mr Hunt, a fluent Japanese speaker, founded a company called Hotcourses, offering guides to help students find the right course before entering university. As culture secretary he had a chequered time, coming under pressure over his dealings with Rupert Murdoch's News International takeover bid. Int. Development Secretary Justine Greening Justine Greening was promoted to the cabinet in October 2011 at the age of 42.

Miss Greening, the MP for Putney since 2005, became economic secretary to the Treasury after the 2010 election, succeeding Philip Hammond as transport secretary after he was promoted to defence secretary. Born and educated in Yorkshire, Miss Greening studied economics at Southampton University, before getting an MBA from London Business School and worked as a finance manager at British Gas owner Centrica before joining the Commons. Her move from transport was widely perceived to be a result of her vocal opposition to the idea of a third runway being built at Heathrow. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling Chris Grayling's elevation to the post of Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary represented something of a comeback. Prior to the 2010 general election he had been shadow home secretary but, when the coalition was formed, he was made employment minister, rather than given a cabinet role. Seen as being on the right of the party, Mr Grayling's appointment to the justice role will be intended to reassure some Conservatives who were unhappy at predecessor Ken Clarke's prison reforms, claiming they were too lenient on criminals. Educated at Cambridge University, he is a former BBC News producer and the author of books on subjects including the Bridgewater Canal and Anglo-American relations.

William Hague Leader of the Commons Leader of the Commons William Hague Since he returned to frontline politics in 2005, Conservative William Hague has become a key adviser to David Cameron, and was seen as de facto deputy party leader. The foreign secretary has plenty of experience to call upon, having been Tory leader himself from 1997 to 2001 and shadow foreign secretary until the election. A witty and engaging Commons performer who is popular with grassroots Tory members, Mr Hague entered Parliament in 1989 having been special adviser to Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe. He was soon promoted to be a social security minister and in 1995 entered the cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales. In addition to his duties as shadow foreign secretary, Mr Cameron put Mr Hague in charge of rebuilding the party in the North of England, as chairman of its Northern Board. In the July reshuffle, Mr Hague announced that he would be standing down as foreign secretary, prior to leaving parliament in 2015. He will serve the remainder of his time in politics as leader of the Commons.

Theresa Villiers Northern Ireland Secretary Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers A former barrister, Ms Villiers was elected MP for Chipping Barnet in 2005. Prior to that, she was a Member of the European Parliament for six years. In December 2005, Mr Cameron promoted her to shadow chief secretary to the Treasury. In 2007, she was made a shadow transport minister, a brief she continued to hold when the coalition came to power. A self-described Eurosceptic, she takes over from Owen Paterson in the post of Northern Ireland Secretary. Alistair Carmichael Scottish Secretary Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael Mr Carmichael has been appointed Scottish Secretary in the government's latest reshuffle. He replaces Michael Moore - a leading figure in the No campaign for the Scottish independence referendum. Mr Carmichael, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, has been the Lib Dems' chief whip and a government deputy chief whip since the formation of the coalition. He was previously the party's Scottish spokesman. Born in 1965, Mr Carmichael had a traditional upbringing on a hill farm on the Inner Hebrides island of Islay.

He developed an early interest in politics, joining the Liberal Democrat party at just 14. He went on to work as a hotel manager before studying law at Aberdeen University. He then became a procurator fiscal depute, working mostly in the criminal courts. He was elected to the UK parliament in 2001, replacing Jim Wallace as MP for Orkney and Shetland. Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander Danny Alexander was Nick Clegg's chief of staff and the Liberal Democrats' campaign co-ordinator throughout the election. He was also the former media chief of pro-euro campaign group Britain in Europe, which brought together leading Labour and Lib Dem voices with business groups. First elected to Parliament in 2005, he rose to prominence when Mr Clegg became party leader in 2007. He was the author of the party's 2010 election manifesto, becoming the Scottish Secretary in David Cameron's initial coalition cabinet. Mr Alexander was promoted to chief secretary - a crucial role overseeing spending cuts - to succeed David Laws after was forced to quit over his expenses after less than three weeks in the job.

He is one of four key ministers, known as "the Quad", who meet to discuss the direction of much of the coalition's policy. The Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP won one of 11 seats for the Lib Dems in Scotland. Patrick McLoughlin Transport Secretary Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin Patrick McLoughlin was the Tory chief whip while the party was in opposition and carried on after the 2010 general election as the government chief whip. The former miner is the MP for Derbyshire Dales. When the Conservatives were previously in power, he was a minister at the departments of transport, employment, trade and industry, and in the whips' office. In opposition, he became deputy chief whip in 1998. Mr McLoughlin's mother was a factory worker and he worked as a farm labourer before following his father and grandfather into the pits. His move to transport in the reshuffle has raised speculation the government is planning to alter its current stance opposing a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Stephen Crabb Welsh Secretary Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb Stephen Crabb was first elected as MP for his home constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire in 2005 and was re-elected in May 2010 with an increased majority. He grew up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, where he attended Tasker Milward School. He holds degrees from Bristol University and London Business School. He worked as a marketing consultant and has also been a volunteer youth worker. A rugby player and marathon runner, Crabb for three years ran Project Umubano, the Conservative Party's social action project in Rwanda and Sierra Leone. He became parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Wales Office in September 2012 and was promoted to Welsh secretary in the July reshuffle. He is married with two children. BBC News - Cameron's government: A guide to who's who Cameron's government: A guide to who's who Click on the faces for profiles Click on the pictures to read profiles of David Cameron's Conservative-Lib Dem coalition cabinet: PRIME MINISTER - DAVID CAMERON Conservative David Cameron was virtually unknown outside Westminster when he was elected Tory leader in December 2005 at the age of 39.

The Old Etonian had dazzled that year's party conference with his youthful dynamism and charisma, reportedly telling journalists he was the "heir to Blair". He has sought to match the former PM by putting the Conservatives at the centre ground of British politics. Before becoming leader, he was the Conservatives' campaign co-ordinator at the 2005 general election and shadow education secretary. He was special adviser to Home Secretary Michael Howard and Chancellor Norman Lamont in the 1990s before spending seven years as a public relations executive with commercial broadcaster Carlton. Return DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER - NICK CLEGG In just five years, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, at 43 the same age as Mr Cameron, has gone from political obscurity to the absolute front line of British politics. After becoming MP for Sheffield Hallam at the 2005 election, he was promoted to Europe spokesman, before moving on to the home affairs role. When Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader in 2007, he entered the race to succeed him, in the end narrowly beating Chris Huhne.

He has campaigned against the government over civil liberties and opposed the Conservatives' spending cuts plans, attempting to create a distance between the Lib Dems and what he calls the "old parties". But he really came to prominence during the televised debates ahead of the general elections, being judged in polls to have been the big winner of the first one. However, this appeared to do little to help the Lib Dems when they actually lost seats on 6 May. The party, though, retained enough MPs to become the vital players in the hung parliament. Return FOREIGN SECRETARY - WILLIAM HAGUE Since he returned to the shadow cabinet in 2005, Conservative William Hague has become a key adviser to David Cameron, and was seen as de facto deputy party leader. The new foreign secretary has plenty of experience to call upon, having been Tory leader himself from 1997 to 2001 and shadow foreign secretary until the election. A witty and engaging Commons performer who is popular with grassroots Tory members, Mr Hague entered Parliament in 1989 having been special adviser to Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe. He was soon promoted to be a social security minister and in 1995 entered the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales.

In addition to his duties as shadow foreign secretary, Mr Cameron put Mr Hague in charge of rebuilding the party in the North of England, as chairman of its Northern Board. Mr Hague has said that as foreign secretary, he is determined to put in place a "distinctive British foreign policy" and the situation in Afghanistan is a priority. Minister of State (Europe) - David Lidington (Conservative) Once a special adviser to Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd and a parliamentary aide to William Hague, he is regarded as being less eurosceptic than those who occupied this important role when the Tories were in opposition Minister of State - Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) A former Lib Dem press chief, he has been MP for Taunton since 2005. Was the party's deputy Treasury spokesman before the election. Minister of State - Lord Howell (Conservative) Junior Foreign Office minister - Henry Bellingham (Conservative) Junior Foreign Office minister - Alistair Burt (Conservative) Return CHANCELLOR - GEORGE OSBORNE One of David Cameron's closest friends and Conservative allies, George Osborne rose rapidly after becoming MP for Tatton in 2001.

Michael Howard promoted him from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury to shadow chancellor in May 2005, at the age of 34. Mr Osborne took a key role in the election campaign and has been at the forefront of the debate on how to deal with the recession and the UK's spending deficit. Even before Mr Cameron became leader the two were being likened to Labour's Blair/Brown duo. The two have emulated them by becoming prime minister and chancellor, but will want to avoid the spats. Before entering Parliament, he was a special adviser in the agriculture department when the Tories were in government and later served as political secretary to William Hague. The BBC understands that as chancellor, Mr Osborne, along with the Treasury will retain responsibility for overseeing banks and financial regulation. Mr Osborne said the coalition government was planning to change the tax system "to make it fairer for people on low and middle incomes", and undertake "long-term structural reform" of the banking sector, education and the welfare state. Financial Secretary - Mark Hoban (Conservative) A chartered accountant, he first stood for Parliament in 1997 before being elected in 2001.

Exchequer Secretary - David Gauke (Conservative) Commercial Secretary - Sir James Sassoon (Conservative) Not an MP. To be given peerage Return HOME SECRETARY AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY - THERESA MAY Theresa May is the biggest winner so far in jobs allocated in the new cabinet, becoming only the second woman to hold the post of Home Secretary. She was the first woman to become Conservative Party chairman, under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith. She then took up the culture and family portfolios before being made shadow Commons leader by David Cameron. She has been a keen advocate of positive action to recruit more women Tories to winnable seats and was a key architect of the "A list" of preferred candidates. A passionate moderniser she famously ruffled feathers when she told Tory activists they were seen as members of the "nasty party". Ms May was the shadow work and pensions minister ahead of the election. Immigration Minister - Damian Green (Conservative) The 54-year-old rattled the previous government over immigration and sparked a cause celebre after being arrested by police investigating leaks - from his new government department.

Security Minister - Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones (Conservative) The baroness, 70, is a former governor of the BBC and was the first woman to chair the UK's Joint Intelligence Committee. She has extensive experience in foreign affairs and security. Police Minister - Nick Herbert (Conservative) The 47-year-old is a previous shadow justice minister. More recently, the MP for Arundel and South Downs held a shadow environmental brief. The role of police minister is held jointly with the Ministry of Justice. Minister For Equalities - Lynne Featherstone (Liberal Democrat) First elected to Parliament in 2005, the former Haringey councillor and London Assembly member served as youth and equalities spokesperson for her party before the election. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State - James Brokenshire (Conservative) Was a shadow Home Office minister when the Conservatives were in opposition. MP for Bexley. Return DEFENCE SECRETARY - PHILIP HAMMOND Philip Hammond has built up a reputation as an articulate and effective Commons performer since being elected MP for Runnymede and Weybridge in 1997.

A former director of companies supplying medical equipment, he was initially a member of the Conservative shadow health team before going on to serve as trade and industry spokesman. He also backed Michael Portillo's 2001 leadership bid. In summer 2002, he went to shadow the now defunct Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and local government department before being made shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, at the age of 51, in the July 2007 reshuffle. He became Transport Secretary after David Cameron's coalition took power after the 2010 election, building on his reputation there as an effective performer before being shifted into the defence brief after the resignation of Liam Fox from the job in October 2011. Armed Forces Minister - Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) The 48-year-old MP for North Devon was his party's shadow defence secretary from 2006. Junior Defence Minister - Gerald Howarth (Conservative) Gerald Howarth was the shadow defence minister from 2002, with responsibility for procurement and the air force.

Junior Defence Minister - Andrew Robathan (Conservative) Return LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE - KEN CLARKE Mr Cameron has previously said that Mr Clarke was a "big figure" with "great experience". He was the last chancellor to lead the UK out of recession - during the John Major government of the 1990s. His return to the Tory frontbench last year was seen as somewhat of a gamble for Mr Cameron given that Mr Clarke - who held a host of ministerial jobs in the Thatcher and Major governments - had staunchly pro-European views. These views were widely seen to be the reason for his failure to win the three party leadership contests he entered - but Mr Cameron decided that Mr Clarke's experience was worth the risk of reopening party splits. Mr Clarke was president of the union at Cambridge, became a QC in 1980 and after a succession of junior ministerial jobs he served as health, education and home secretaries before becoming chancellor from 1993 to 1997. Minister of State - Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat) Tom McNally is the Lib Dem Leader in the House of Lords.

A former senior Downing Street adviser, MP and founding member of the SDP, he entered the House of Lords in 1995. Junior Justice Minister - Crispin Blunt (Conservative) Junior Justice Minister - Jonathan Djanogly (Conservative) Return HEALTH SECRETARY - ANDREW LANSLEY Andrew Lansley, a former civil servant, became an active Conservative in the 1980s after a spell as private secretary to Norman Tebbit. In 1990 he became head of the Conservative Research Department and was one of the architects of the Tories' surprise 1992 election victory. However, he later faced criticism for his central role in the disastrous 2001 poll campaign. He returned to the shadow cabinet in 2003 under Michael Howard as shadow health secretary, the role he continues to hold under David Cameron. Mr Cameron had long guaranteed Mr Lansley - who has played a key role in convincing people that the NHS is a high priority for the Conservatives - the role of health secretary in a government led by him.

Minister of State - Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) Former Liberal Democrat chief whip, he is regarded as an expert on care for the elderly Minister of State - Simon Burns (Conservative) Junior Health Minister - Anne Milton (Conservative) Junior Health Minister - Earl Howe (Conservative) One of about ninety remaining hereditary peers in the House of Lords, the former banker held a number of ministerial positions in the Major government. He has been a shadow health spokesman since 1997 Return EDUCATION SECRETARY - MICHAEL GOVE Tory Michael Gove was seen as one of the brightest talents in the 2005 intake. The former Times journalist is a key member of David Cameron's inner circle who helps write many of his speeches. As the Tories' housing spokesman, Mr Gove made a name for himself as an effective Commons performer in attacks on the government's home information packs. He was drafted into the shadow cabinet, as children, schools and families spokesman, at the age of 39 when his leader split the education brief in two to reflect Gordon Brown's Whitehall changes. Mr Gove headed the Policy Exchange think tank for three years before landing the safe seat of Surrey Heath.

He had previously said he was prepared to give up a post in the new Cabinet to ensure the deal with the Lib Dems went ahead, but he sticks with the education brief in government. Schools Minister - Nick Gibb (Conservative) Born in 1960, Nick Gibb was a shadow education and skills minister under Michael Howard in 2001, and then from May 2005 was shadow education minister and shadow schools minister. He also has frontbench trade and treasury experience. Minister of State - Sarah Teather (Liberal Democrat) Sarah Teather was Britain's youngest MP when she was elected to Parliament in a by-election in Brent East in September 2003. She was the Liberal Democrats' shadow housing minister before the election. Junior minister - Tim Loughton (Conservative) Born in 1962, the former fund manager was most recently the shadow minister of children. He also has experience of environment and health policy. Recently lived with families on a council estate for a reality TV show.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State - Jonathan Hill (Conservative) Return BUSINESS SECRETARY - VINCE CABLE Vince Cable has had a long journey to reach the front rank of politics, having been a Labour and then an SDP supporter before its merger with the Liberals to become the Liberal Democrats. An economist by profession, he entered Parliament as MP for Twickenham in 1997 and has gradually built up his powerbase among the Lib Dems. As the party's deputy leader and Treasury spokesman he saw his stock rising during the credit crunch because of his earlier warnings. When he stood in as temporary leader after the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell, he memorably described Gordon Brown as going from "Stalin to Mr Bean". He is also expected to be a member of a new ministerial committee which is dedicated to creating banking policy, and chaired by the chancellor.

Minister of State - Mark Prisk (Conservative) Minister of State - John Hayes (Conservative) Junior Minister - Edward Davey (Liberal Democrat) Was the party's foreign affairs spokesman in opposition Junior Minister - Ed Vaizey (Conservative) Junior Minister - Baroness Wilcox (Conservative) Return WORK AND PENSIONS - IAIN DUNCAN SMITH This is a return to the front line for former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green. A former army officer, who saw active service in Northern Ireland, Mr Duncan Smith entered Parliament in 1992 and rapidly established himself as one of the Maastricht rebels that life so difficult for then Tory leader John Major. He was seen as a rising star of the Eurosceptic right and, after a spell as shadow defence secretary under William Hague, was the surprise victor in the September 2001 leadership contest, beating better-known and more experienced, Europhile candidate Ken Clarke. He had a torrid time as the Tory leader, failing to land any real blows on then PM Tony Blair and enduring a relentless barrage of criticism from the press and, in some cases, his own MPs.

In November 2002, he urged his party to "unite or die" in response to persistent whisperings of a challenge to his leadership, but a year later he was ousted after narrowly failing to win the backing of enough MPs in a vote of confidence. After losing the Tory leadership, he has successfully reinvented himself as a social reform champion who, with his centre-right think tank Centre for Social Justice, has played an influential role in developing Conservative policy on welfare and the "broken society". Minister of State - Chris Grayling (Conservative) The former shadow home secretary and MP for Epsom and Ewell, 48, was denied a Cabinet role. Earlier this year he was secretly recorded suggesting people who run B&Bs in their homes should have the right to reject homosexual guests. Minister of State - Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) Elected to Parliament in 1997, the former professor of social policy at Bath University has held a number of frontbench positions. An expert on pensions, he is regarded as being on the left of the party.

Minister for Welfare Reform - Lord Freud (Conservative) Welfare expert who advised Labour on reform of the benefits system but them switched sides and start working with the Conservatives. Was ennobled in 2009. Junior Minister - Maria Miller (Conservative) Was shadow families minister in opposition Junior Minister - Lord Freud Return ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE - CHRIS HUHNE Chris Huhne has become Energy and Climate Change Secretary. Like Nick Clegg, Mr Huhne entered Parliament in 2005. He also attended the same school - the exclusive Westminster public school - and served as a Member of the European Parliament. They have much in common, but they fought a close - and sometimes angry - campaign for the leadership in 2007. Afterwards Mr Huhne, who had been environment spokesman, was promoted to the home affairs brief. He made a fortune in the City before entering politics, and is seen as being on the left of the party. He was a key member of the Lib Dem team which held talks about a coalition with both Labour and the Conservatives.

Minister of State - Charles Hendry (Conservative) Minister of State - Gregory Barker (Conservative) Parliamentary Under Secretary of State - Lord Marland (Conservative) CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY - DANNY ALEXANDER Danny Alexander was Nick Clegg's chief of staff and the Liberal Democrats' campaign co-ordinator throughout the election. He was also the former media chief of pro-euro campaign group Britain in Europe, which brought together leading Labour and Lib Dem voices with business groups. First elected to Parliament in 2005, he rose to prominence when Mr Clegg became party leader in 2007. The 38-year-old was the author of the party's 2010 election manifesto, becoming the Scottish Secretary in David Cameron's initial coalition cabinet. He was promoted to chief secretary - a crucial role overseeing spending cuts - to succeed David Laws after was forced to quit over his expenses after less than three weeks in the job. The Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP won one of 11 seats for the Lib Dems in Scotland.

Return SCOTTISH SECRETARY - MICHAEL MOORE Michael Moore - the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk - was named Secretary of State for Scotland at the age 44 years. The Lib Dem MP took over from Danny Alexander, who was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury after David Law's resignation less than three weeks after the May 2010 election. Michael Moore was elected MP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale at the 1997 general election, succeeding David Steel, for whom he had previously worked as a researcher. He was elected to the new constituency in 2005, following boundary changes. Before the 2010 election he held a number of front bench spokesman jobs, including defence, foreign affairs and international development. Advocate General for Scotland - Lord Wallace (Liberal Democrat) One of his party's most senior figures, he was deputy first minister for Scotland and acting first minister after the death of Donald Dewar and the resignation of Henry McLeish. He was an MP between 1983 and 2001 and an MSP between 1999 and 2007.

Junior Minister - David Mundell (Conservative) The only Conservative MP in Scotland, he was shadow Scottish secretary in opposition Return CHIEF WHIP - PATRICK MCLOUGHLIN Patrick McLoughlin - the Tory chief whip while the party was in opposition, will carry on as the Government Chief Whip. The former miner is the MP for Derbyshire Dales. When the Conservatives were in power, he was a minister at the departments of transport, employment, trade and industry, and in the whips' office. In opposition, he became deputy chief whip in 1998. Mr McLoughlin's mother was a factory worker and he worked as a farm labourer before following his father and grandfather into the pits. He spoke out against Arthur Scargill in the miners' strike. Deputy Chief Whip - Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) MP for Orkney and Shetland since 2001.

Deputy Chief Whip - John Randall (Conservative) Government Whip - Mark Francois (Conservative) Whip - Michael Fabricant (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Philip Dunne (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Stephen Crabb (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Robert Goodwill (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Shailesh Vara (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Bill Wiggin (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Chloe Smith (Conservative) Assistant Whip - Norman Lamb (Lib Dem) Also chief parliamentary adviser to the deputy prime minister Assistant Whip - Mark Hunter (Lib Dem) Return COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARY - ERIC PICKLES Eric Pickles was first elected to the Commons in 1992, representing an Essex seat far from his Yorkshire roots. He has extensive local government experience, having led Bradford District Council for three years up to 1991. He has also served in a variety of shadow ministerial roles, including transport, local government and social security spokesman, earning a reputation for loyalty and good humour. He boosted his reputation and profile in the party by masterminding its landmark victory over Labour in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election and was appointed party chairman in 2009.

And he became a regular and confident media performer in the months leading up to the 2010 general election. Minister for Decentralisation - Greg Clark (Conservative) Before becoming at MP in 2005, Greg Clark was director of policy for the Conservative Party from March 2001 for three Tory leaders - William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. Minister for Housing - Grant Shapps (Conservative) An MP since 2005, Grant Shapps was one of the most media-friendly shadow ministers. Has held the housing brief for some years and says his proudest political achievement was founding the Conservative Homelessness Foundation. Junior Minister - Andrew Stunell (Liberal Democrat) A former Baptist preacher, he was deputy chief whip of the Liberal Democrats. One of the party's four-strong team which negotiated the landmark coalition deal with the Conservatives Junior Minister - Bob Neill (Conservative) A former barrister, he served on the Greater London Council and London Assembly before becoming an MP.

Was shadow minister for local government and planning in opposition Junior Minister - Baroness Hanham (Conservative) Since being made a life peer in 1999, she has held a number of shadow briefs in the House of Lords Return ATTORNEY GENERAL- DOMINIC GRIEVE A Conservative activist from an early age - and the son of a former Tory MP - Dominic Grieve was elected to the Commons in 1997 as the MP for Beaconsfield in South Buckinghamshire. He is a barrister and was the shadow attorney general for four and a half years until June 2008, when he was appointed shadow home secretary. He filled the vacancy created when David Davis quit as an MP to fight a by-election on civil liberties and plans for a 42-day terror detention limit. Mr Grieve is an ex-member of the London Diocesan Synod with an interest in constitutional issues and an opposition to devolution - he is a past shadow Scottish affairs spokesman. Regarded as a skilled and assiduous Commons performer, he was the Tories' shadow justice secretary ahead of the election. The attorney general is not a full cabinet position under David Cameron.

Return CULTURE, OLYMPICS, MEDIA AND SPORT - JEREMY HUNT Jeremy Hunt, 43, retains his existing brief in the new cabinet but gets specific responsibility for the smooth running of the 2012 London Olympics. The MP for South West Surrey since 2005, he became the Conservatives' culture spokesman. He was previously the party's spokesman on disabilities and welfare reform. He replaced Hugo Swire, who was sacked as culture spokesman shortly after suggesting free museum entry might be scrapped. Mr Hunt, a fluent Japanese speaker, founded a company called Hotcourses, offering guides to help students find the right course before entering University. Sports Minister- Hugh Robertson (Conservative) A former army officer who saw active service in Northern Ireland, Kuwait and Bosnia. After working in the City, he was elected to Parliament in 2001. A keen cricketer, he was shadow sports minister in opposition Arts Minister - Ed Vaizey (Conservative) A former PR executive and speech writer for Michael Howard, he was first elected to Parliament in 2005.

Was shadow arts and broadcasting minister in opposition Junior Minister - John Penrose (Conservative) Return CONSERVATIVE CO-CHAIRMAN - BARONESS WARSI Baroness Sayeeda Warsi is the first Muslim woman to serve in a British cabinet. She is the Conservative Party's co-chairman and minister without portfolio (party fundraiser and close friend of David Cameron, Andrew Feldman, is the other co-chairman but he will not be attending cabinet). Baroness Warsi was also the first Muslim woman to sit on the front bench of a British political party in July 2007 at the age of 36. Straight-talking and combative - she describes herself as a "northern, working-class-roots mum" - she gave up her job as a solicitor in 2004 to stand for Parliament in her home town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, losing out to Labour's Shahid Malik. She was also a special adviser on community relations to then Tory leader Michael Howard before becoming the party's vice-chairman. She succeeds Eric Pickles in her new role.

Baroness Warsi says her admiration for Conservative principles is inspired by her father, who went from working in a mill to running a £2m-a-year bed-manufacturing firm. Return ENVIRONMENT - CAROLINE SPELMAN Caroline Spelman was the second woman, after Theresa May, to be Conservative Party chairman in 2007, at the age of 49. She entered Parliament in 1997 and was tipped for a shadow cabinet post when Michael Howard became Tory leader in 2003. But she was first appointed spokesman for the environment and shadow minister for women - both non-frontbench positions. She served as shadow secretary of state for international development, shadow secretary for local and devolved government and most recently shadow communities and local government. Before entering Parliament, she worked in agriculture, including a spell as deputy director of the International Confederation of European Beetgrowers, in Paris. She now takes on the environment brief in the Lib Dem Conservative coalition government. Minister of State - James Paice (Conservative) Junior Minister - Richard Benyon (Conservative) Junior Minister - Lord Henley (Conservative) INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - ANDREW MITCHELL Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell keeps his existing brief of international development.

He ran David Davis' leadership campaign in 2005 and kept his shadow-cabinet job under David Cameron's regime. A former social security minister and whip, Mr Mitchell has also served as shadow minister for police. He first became an MP in 1987 and lost his Gedling seat a decade later, only to return as MP for Sutton Coldfield in 2001. Before going to university, Mr Mitchell served in the Royal Tank Regiment and later worked for investment bank Lazard. Minister of State - Alan Duncan (Conservative) The former shadow business secretary was demoted from the shadow cabinet last year after saying MPs would be forced to live "on rations" after the expenses scandal. Was most recently shadow prisons minister Junior Minister - Stephen O'Brien (Conservative) TRANSPORT - JUSTINE GREENING Justine Greening was promoted to the cabinet in October 2011 at the age of 42. Miss Greening, the MP for Putney since 2005, became economic secretary to the Treasury after the 2010 election, succeeding Philip Hammond as transport secretary after he was promoted to defence secretary.

Born and educated in Yorkshire, Miss Greening studied economics at Southampton University, before getting an MBA from London Business School and worked as a finance manager at British Gas owner Centrica before joining the Commons. Minister of State - Theresa Villiers (Conservative) A former barrister and MEP, she was elected to Parliament in 2005. Was shadow transport secretary in the run-up to the election but is now number two at the department. Junior Minister - Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) A railway enthusiast who was formerly Lib Dem transport spokesman Junior Minister - Mike Penning (Conservative) Former army officer first elected to Parliament in 2005 NORTHERN IRELAND - OWEN PATERSON Conservative MP Owen Paterson retains his Northern Ireland portfolio. He entered the shadow cabinet for the first time, at the age of 50, in David Cameron's July 2007 reshuffle. A former managing director of the British Leather company, he entered Parliament as MP for Shropshire North in 1997, concentrating on rural issues as a junior agriculture spokesman and chairman of the Conservative Rural Action Group.

A Eurosceptic and member of the right wing Cornerstone Group, which campaigns for traditional Tory values, he helped Iain Duncan Smith during his 2001 leadership bid and was briefly parliamentary private secretary to Ann Widdecombe. He has also served in the Opposition whips office. Minister of State - Hugo Swire (Conservative) Worked at auction house Sotheby's before going into politics. Was shadow culture secretary but replaced after questioning free museum entry. Now back on the frontbench Return WALES - CHERYL GILLAN Conservative MP for Chesham and Amersham since 1992, Cheryl Gillan was a junior education minister in John Major's government. In opposition, her front-bench jobs have covered trade and industry, the Foreign Office and a period as a party whip. Born in Cardiff, she became a member of the shadow cabinet in 2005, at the age of 53, replacing Bill Wiggin as Welsh spokesman, which became a shadow cabinet post under David Cameron. She retains it in his cabinet. Her jobs before entering Parliament include marketing consultant and director of British Film Year.

Junior Minister - David Jones (Conservative) Return LEADER OF HOUSE OF LORDS - LORD STRATHCLYDE Lord (Tom) Strathclyde has been in the shadow cabinet since 1997 after being promoted to Lords leader following a term as opposition chief whip. During that time, he has led the Conservative charge in an upper house which often gave the Labour government more problems than the House of Commons. A former insurance broker, Lord Strathclyde has wide experience from the Conservatives' previous spell in government. He was a minister of state at the Department of Trade and Industry during the 1990s and his various junior ministerial jobs covered tourism, Scotland, environment and consumer affairs.

• Lords Chief Whip (Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms) - Baroness Anelay (Conservative) • Deputy Chief Whip - Lord Shutt (Liberal Democrat) • Baroness in Waiting - Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) • Baroness in Waiting - Baroness Rawlings (Conservative) • Baroness in Waiting - Baroness Verma (Conservative) • Lord in Waiting - Earl Attlee (Conservative) • Lord in Waiting - Lord Astor (Conservative) • Lord in Waiting - Lord De Mauley (Conservative) • Lord In Waiting - Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative) • Lord in Waiting - Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrat) Return LEADER OF THE COMMONS - SIR GEORGE YOUNG The North West Hampshire Tory MP, 68, was appointed shadow leader of the Commons after the demotion of Alan Duncan in September 2009. It marked a return to the shadow cabinet after a gap of nine years, and he has now retained the role in government, although he will not be a full cabinet member.

Sir George, an old Etonian known as the "bicycling baronet" after his election to the old Ealing Acton seat in 1974, had been chairman of the committee on standards and privileges since 2001. A widely respected figure in Parliament, who has twice stood unsuccessfully for the post of Speaker, he held the shadow Commons leader's job under William Hague's leadership. He served as a health, environment and housing minister before becoming Financial Secretary to the Treasury in 1994 under then prime minister John Major. He served as transport secretary from 1995-97. Deputy Leader of the House - David Heath (Liberal Democrat) The Somerset MP was the Lib Dems Commons business manager in opposition Return CABINET OFFICE MINISTER - FRANCIS MAUDE The high priest of Tory modernisers, as party chairman Francis Maude was at the forefront of David Cameron's efforts to move the Conservatives to the centre ground - a role that won him few friends among party traditionalists. He was demoted to shadow Cabinet Office minister in July 2007, with responsibility for implementing policy.

He and his team have been in months of talks with civil servants to ensure as smooth as possible a transition in the event of a new government - and to avoid wasting a first term as Mr Cameron's team believe Tony Blair did in 1997. He has also been working on detailed plans to shake-up the civil service and make them more accountable to ministers. He will carry on with a similar policy implementation role in government, but he will not be full cabinet member. The son of Tory MP Angus Maude, he has enjoyed a rollercoaster career since his election to the Commons in 1983, serving in the Whips' office, the Foreign Office and the Treasury. He lost his seat at the 1992 election but returned to the Commons five years later, serving as shadow chancellor and shadow foreign secretary. He managed Michael Portillo's 2001 leadership bid, returning to the backbenches to argue the case for reform when Mr Portillo withdrew from the race.

Minister of State - Oliver Letwin (Conservative) Providing policy advice to the prime minister Minister for Civil Society - Nick Hurd (Conservative) Son of former Conservative Foreign Secretary Lord Hurd Junior Minister - Mark Harper (Conservative) Return MINISTER OF STATE AT CABINET OFFICE, POLICY - OLIVER LETWIN A former shadow home secretary and shadow chancellor, Oliver Letwin is one of the most experienced and erudite members of David Cameron's top team responsible for writing the Conservatives' general election manifesto. He will continue with the policy formation role he played in opposition as a minster of state, although he will not be a full member of cabinet. An Old Etonian and former merchant banker, he has been MP for West Dorset since 1997. In the 2001 election, he famously went into "hiding" after suggesting to a newspaper that the party wanted to cut public spending by £20bn. After the 2005 general election, at the age of 50, he decided to take the environment, food and rural affairs brief before being handed the job of reviewing policy across the board and made chairman of the Conservative research department.

Return UNIVERSITIES AND SCIENCE - DAVID WILLETTS David Willetts is the minister of state for universities and science, within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, attending cabinet rather than a full member. Known as one of the Conservative Party's big thinkers, former shadow education secretary David "Two Brains" Willetts was shunted sideways in the July 2007 reshuffle after a bitter row over the party's policy on grammar schools. A former Treasury civil servant and graduate of the Number 10 policy unit at the height of Margaret Thatcher's time in office, he subsequently became director of research for the Centre for Policy Studies. After his election to the Commons in 1992, he enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks before being criticised for his role as a whip during the Neil Hamilton cash-for-questions investigation. In opposition, he served as shadow education and employment secretary under William Hague before taking on the work and pensions job. He briefly dallied with a party leadership bid in 2005 before throwing his weight behind David Davis. Return SOLICITOR GENERAL - EDWARD GARNIER Edward Garnier became an MP in 1992 at the age of 40.

Appointed Queen's Counsel in 1995, he served under Michael Howard in 2001. He was appointed to David Cameron's shadow frontbench team with responsibilities for justice in the July 2007 reshuffle. In September 2009, he became shadow attorney general.

Question: Who became British Foreign Secretary in May 2010?
Answer: William Hague